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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Cross of Mas-Cabardès, dated 1545, is a monumental cross carved on its two sides, located in the centre of the village of Mas-Cabardès, in the department of Aude. It rests on a concrete and limestone base, with a prismatic support decorated with mouldings. On its main face, the cross Christ is surrounded by the Virgin and St John, while a shuttle, symbol of weavers, is engraved at his feet. This detail, along with its alternative designation of the Cross of the Weavers, suggests that it was erected by the village weaver corporation, reflecting the importance of this activity in the Orbiel Valley from the Middle Ages.

On the reverse side, the Virgin with the Child is accompanied by Saint Stephen, patron saint of the parish, holding a palm tree, and Saint Michael terrorizing a devil with a human figure. At the top, prophets (probably Isaiah and David) overlook the scenes, highlighting the religious message. The date of 1545, written in Gothic letters on a phylacter, and the coat of arms on the shuttle confirm its connection with weavers. The cross, classified as a historical monument in 1933, also illustrates the influence of this brotherhood, which probably financed its erection the same year as the resumption of the work of the Saint-Étienne church.

Architecturally, the cross combines religious symbolism and reference to local trades. Angels collecting the blood of Christ, phylacteries bearing the vintage, and empty or adorned badges reinforce its votive and communal character. Its location, at the bottom of the church street, makes it a central landmark of the village, marking both the faith and the artisanal identity of Mas Cabardès. Its classification in 1933 attests to its heritage value, linked to the textile history of the region and the collective piety of the sixteenth century.

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